Wednesday, May 17, 1967

we await with interest their report. As has already been noted we have made pro- } vision in our estimates for a Commissioner to look into this whole business of school

‘ taxation and school financing. \

1 Mr. Speaker, my last words are words that were uttered by the President of ‘ the United States at a White House Conference a year ago when he said, “educa- tion may not provide a solution to all the ills of mankind, but without education no solution of any of these ills of mankind can be foun ." And I think that this is just as true in Canada, just as true in Prince Edward Island as it is in the United States, and I am confident that members of this Legislature will give very careful considera- tion to the problems relating to education. I feel that I know them well enough to say that with their support we will be able to overcome these big problems.

Thank you very much. (Applause).

Honourable Daniel J. MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture: (First Kings)

Mr. Speaker, I would like first of all to congratulate the previous speakers for the presentations they made. I would like, chiefly, to congratulate our Provincial Treasurer on presenting his Budget in such an able manner, realistic Budget that it is.

I do not intend to take very long, Mr. Speaker; the few brief remarks I have will be in regard to the Department of Agriculture and its estimates for the coming year. I would like to make reference, first of all, to the estimates for the Extension Division which will be increased 5517500000. 817523000. This, as you all know was brought out in the Estimates before the House and consists of many things in the Extension Department, extension of agricultural phases in different ways, 4- Groups, Boys and Girls' Clubs and all the rest of it. We also have an additional appropriation for agricultural scholarships which amounts to $1,000.00. These are the scholarships I made reference to the other day which are obtainable by making a certain mark for the Diploma Course in Agriculture at Nova Scotia College. Also included in the estimates will be the fertilizer subsidy which was not included last year; it was an after thought, so this year we are appropriating for it.

In research we will be asking you to approve an additional appropriation of $24,224.00. Under the ARDA plan the alternate land use and ARDA projects, research projects and so on for Rural Development we are asking the Legislature to approve additional appropriation of 319900000. This is up from $295,000.00 last year to $494,000.00 this year.

In reference to our forestry program, the appropriation is the same as the previous year, but there is a difference in this respect.. In the past year there was a $40,000.00 grant from Ottawa. The way it will be worked this year will be pro- jected through Ottawa under the ARDA program and we have already projected and we will get 50% of this from the federal government. We have an opportunity to make more than one projection; as I stated, we have already made one, and as this is used we will, at a later date, project for more planting, cleaning up forestry areas and what have you.

The Women’s Institute appropriation will be increased by $13,000.00, bringing it to $36,608.00. This will correct the unfortunate position which we found ourselves in when we came to procure more help. Last year we had no Home Economist; the Division calls for two and we are very fortunate in having obtained two. They are not yet employed although one was “signed on” this morning. We are very happy to make this announcement. Our staff will be increased, and we are certainly very happy that we have been able to do this.

Agricultural lab. Services will be increased by $8,000.00, and this goes chiefly to our hve'terinarians in the province; as you know, their salaries have been increased somew a .

The artificial insemination program will have an extra appropriation of $6,000.00; this brin s it up to $35,000.00. We expect an increased use and hope it will be suc- cessful. s I stated in my previous remarks, we had some trouble last year with AI. conception rate caused by a change in the holding process. So we hope that this will not reoccur as it is quite an impediment, quite a serious thing to happen our farmers.

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